site.btaUPDATED Large Wildfire Rages in Svilengrad Municipality, Partial State of Disaster Declared

A partial state of disaster was declared in the southern municipality of Svilengrad, Haskovo Region, over a wildfire that broke out near the village of Studena on Saturday. This is the third municipality in the Haskovo Region that declares a partial state of disaster over forest fires in two days, as forest fires rage in the municipalities of Topolovgrad and Ivaylovgrad, as well.

Haskovo Deputy Regional Governor Mitko Petrov told BTA that the situation near the village of Studena remains complicated. The wildfire keeps spreading, and the road to the village is temporarily closed, he explained.

The flames have engulfed over 3,000 ha of pine and oak forests, mixed plantations and dry grasses, Petrov said.

Svilengrad Mayor Anastas Karchev told BTA that the situation is critical. The fire is a crown one, it broke out in a coniferous forest and strong winds are spreading it north towards the village of Dervishka Mogila, and south towards the village of Ravna Gora. Perennial crops have also been damaged, Karchev explained.

Haskovo Regional Governor Petrov added that another wildfire broke out near the village of Dabovets in the Lyubimets Municipality.

The fires in the villages of Gornoseltsi, Ivaylovgrad Municipality, and Srem, Topolovgrad Municipality, are still active. The fire in Gornoseltsi burned down some 10 houses, while the disaster in Srem damaged 3 houses, agricultural buildings and 6 cars. A total of 25 residents of Srem were evacuated. Two helicopters have been aiding the firefighters near Gornoseltsi since Saturday morning.

The state of disaster for the municipalities of Topolovgrad and Ivaylovgrad is still in force.